National RAISE Center

Being A Boss, by Josie Badger

  Growing up with a disability I had to be creative and self-motivated in order to be successful. In the 80s and 90s “a significant percent of “normal” activities for kids were not accessible so I had to be creative to be able to be involved. I also spent a significant amount of my elementary … Continue reading →

Getting to know assistive tech! By Ren Koloni

Ren Koloni (they/them) A white person with curly hair in a ponytail stands in front of a mirror. They are holding their phone in one hand and a blue cane in the other. They are wearing rectangular glasses, a black cloth face mask, and a light grey tank top with an image of a bison skull on it.

My journey to a Job I Love, By: Rachel Shandler

Work Hard, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself And Amazing things will Happen   Graduating from college, the next step in many people’s lives is finding a job. For most people that is not always easy. It includes steps like building a resume, where to look for job, and interview preparations. For someone with a disability, … Continue reading →

Homecare is self-care, by Anomie Fatale 

As a physically disabled person who can’t independently do all their ADL’s (acts of daily living), people seem surprised when they ask me “Who takes care of you?” and I respond take care of myself.” I’ve had many caregivers since becoming disabled. Before I had homecare services, I was dependent on friends and partners helping … Continue reading →

My disabled journey to employment (and understanding), by Anomie Fatale

My disabled journey to employment (and understanding), by Anomie Fatale Before I became disabled, I wanted to be a doctor or medical researcher.  It was a realistic goal. I had the intelligence, drive, grades, and most importantly, I had the health for it. I was a 3.9 GPA in college with an entrance into a … Continue reading →

What I didn’t know then: Wildfire displacement as a wheelchair using parent, by Alex Wegman

What I didn’t know then: Wildfire displacement as a wheelchair using parent, by Alex Wegman I’ve always understood that access and independence are fluid and mean different things for different people. What’s modified for my access might create barriers for another person, and what works for me in one environment or situation might not in … Continue reading →

“My Experience with Disability and Leadership”, by Lillian Sellers

 “My Experience with Disability and Leadership”, by Lillian Sellers On her blog, Lillian Sellers expresses that confidence is more important than anything else in the transition process, and shares that it’s so important for schools to include more self-advocacy training for students and presuming competency training for teachers. My name is Lillian Sellers, and I … Continue reading →

“Covid and Transition to Adulthood”, by Jessica Keogh, M. Ed

The Covid -19 pandemic has proven to be challenging for all, but for people with disabilities the struggles were intensified. As an adult living and working with a physical disability, I can attest to the challenges posed by Covid. Because of my disability I rely heavily on the support of care attendants who assist me … Continue reading →

Be the Best “You”, by Aaron Fajerksi

  It is ironic how, as a person who has lived with a physical disability since birth, one can become so accustomed to being taken care of his whole life.  For a time, it is as if the world, from an individualistic standpoint, consists only of facilities, caregivers, school, and home.  This is especially the … Continue reading →

“Finding my Heartsong”, by Jessica Keogh, M. Ed

Approximately 10 years ago, I began my career as an educator in Reading, PA. It was quite an exciting first day that turned into four amazing years of growth. My students, who are now adults (ahh!) taught me a ton about life, and challenged me to be the best I could be for them. The … Continue reading →